Institution
/ˌɪn.stɪˈtjuː.ʃən/noun
An established organization, custom, or system that has become a stable part of society.
Did you know?The word comes through Latin from the same root as words for ‘stand’ and ‘state,’ so an institution is literally something made to stand firm in the world.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*steh₂-
“to stand, make or be firm”
Latin
Latin
statuere
“to set up, establish, appoint”
Late Latin
Latin
institutio
“an establishing, arrangement, instruction”
Old French
Old French
institution
“establishment, ordinance, instruction”
14th Century
English
institution
“the act of establishing; a custom, ordinance, or organized body”
Modern English
English
institution
“an established organization, practice, or system”